Coupler mechanism



Aug. 22, 1933. E, KINNE 1,923,674

COUPLER MECHANI SM Filed Oct. 29, 1928 operation of couplers, and

Patented Aug. 22, 1933 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,923,674 COUPLER MECHANISM Application October 29, 1928. Serial No. 315,625

3 Claims.

This invention pertains to coupler mechanism, and more particularly to means for operating a coupler from the side of the car.

An object of the invention is to improve the more particularly standard A. R. A. rotary type couplers, in a man-' ner whereby the coupler can always be operated positively and easily through the medium of the uncoupling rod.

Another object is to provide simple, reliable, efficient and inexpensive coupler operating mechanism having cooperating parts whereby a maximum operating force may be transmitted to the lock for facilitating the operation of the coupler.

Still another object is to provide coupled operating mechanism which will fulfill all requirements of service and manufacture and in which the operating handle will always seek a position such that there will be no tendency to disrupt the partsnor to have any interference with the relative movement of the coupled cars or cooperating parts.

ating rod and the coupler lifter.

Still further object is to provide a construction whereby the operating rod for the coupler is disposed in such a manner as to clear the train lines and will provide weight for returning the operating handle to inoperative position upon release thereof from knuckle throw position or any intermediate positions.

Yet further object is to provide coupleroperating mechanism of such construction and disposition as to prevent interference or damage to said mechanism or adjacent structure when said mechanism and structure of adjacent cars is moved relatively thereto as in the case of opposing couplers passing each other. 7

With these and various the invention may consist of certain novel features the invention; and

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the coupler mechanism disclosed in Figure 1 of the drawing. 1

The usual car end sill 10 may be provided with the necessary running and operating gear includ-- ing a striking casting 11, buffing block and its cooperating parts supporting the standard A. R. A. rotary type coupler 12.

uncoupling rod 15, said uncoupling rod extending toward the side of the car and having an elongated bearing portion 16 supported in 17 in such with a depending portion 20 of the operating rod to prevent slack between the rod and the bracket regardless of any position of the coupler, it being understood that the coupler rod follows the movement of the I coupler. The depending portion 20 terminates in i an oflE-set handle portion 21, the disposition of the oif-set downwardly and in an outboard direction eye 13, to which it is secured.

Regarding the rod in end elevation, as illustrated in Figure 2, portion 22 erating with the rotor 1 With this construction it will be seen that the 7 rod is so disposed that it will adequately clear train lines, and the tendency of said rod will be lessened as in the case where opposing couplers slip by each other. When this occurs, the usual uncoupling rod frequently becomes damaged, but in the present case, the couplers will merely slip over the opposing uncoupling rod and no damage will be done. Unlocking is effected by raising the handle 21 to rotate the rod in a counterclockwise direction, thereby imparting unlocking movement to the rotor eye 13. In so moving the coupler rod, the weight of the rod still will be such that upon release of the handle 21 the rod will rotate, or tend to rotate, in a clockwise direction to return the handle to inoperative position where it cannot obstruct the space between cars and will not be a menace to trainmen or others passing between or working adjacent the ends of the cars.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown, which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope or" the claims.

I claim:

1. In coupler mechanism lock, the combination of a rotary member on the coupler for transmitting operating movements to the coupler look, a bracket, and a handled operating rod supported by said bracket and extending to and directly connected to said rotary memberior movement therewith to operate said coupler lock, said rod having a horizontal portion adjacent said bracket to form a bearing for said rod, said rod having a portion offset in an outboard direction beyond the axis of rotation thereof through said horizontal portion and said rotary member, tending to prevent rotation of the operating rod which would release the coupier anticreep when the coupler is in locked position, said offset portion having a part thereof disposed below said rotary member providing an unbalanced condition in unlocked position of the coupler to return the handle to locked position and rotate the rotary member in a direction to lock said mechanism, and providing clearance in locked position of the coupler whereby damage to the rod and associated mechanism is prevented in case of misalignment of adjacent couplers in coupling operation.

having a movable 2. In coupler mechanism having a movable lock, the combination of a rotary member on the coupler for transmitting operating movements to the coupler look, a bracket, and a handled operating rod supported by said bracket and extending to and directly connected to said rotary member for movement therewith to operate said coupler lock, said rod having an ofiset portion extending in an outboard direction and downwardly below the axis of rotation thereof through said' bracket and rotary member providing an unbalanced condition in locked position of the coupler tending to prevent rotation of the operating rod which would release the coupler anticreep and to return the handle to locked position, said downwardly extending part of said offset portion providing clearance whereby damage to the rod and associated mechanism is prevented in case of misalignment of adjacent couplers in coupling operation.

3. In coupler mechanism having a movable lock, the combination of a rotary member on the coupler for transmitting operating movements to the coupler lock, a bracket, and a handled operating rod supported by said bracket and extending to and directly connected to said rotary memher for movement therewith to operate said coupler lock, said bracket having a member'adapted to cooperate with said rod for preventing increase of oscillation of said rod, said .rod having a horizontal portion adjacent said bracket to form a bearing for said rod and having a portion offset beyond the vertical plane through the axis of the horizontal portion and intersecting the rotary member, tending to prevent rotation of the operating rod which would release the coupler anti-creep when the coupler is in locked position, said offset portion having a part thereof disposed below said rotary member to provide an unbalanced condition in unlocked position of the coupler to return the handle to locked position and rotate the rotary member in direction to lock said mechanism and providing clearance in locked. position of the coupler whereby damage to the rod prevented in case of misalignment of adjacent couplers in coupling operation.

EDMUND P. KINNE.

and'associated mechanism is 

